RodneyRodriguez Posted May 3, 2003 Report Share Posted May 3, 2003 As I drove home past Longhorn Speedway yesterday I noticed a truck parked under the grandstands in the freshly cut grass and there was a tractor in the infield doin'-it-to-it in there, also looked like the for sale sign was down. Anyone heard any rumblings lately? Last time I saw that kind of action on the property, it was in hopes of dirt track racing or maybe the property did sell finally? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meredith race engines Posted May 4, 2003 Report Share Posted May 4, 2003 want to bring this forum back to life and see if nick could do some reserch because i think he is just about the best at it and see if he could find any thing out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodneyRodriguez Posted May 5, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2003 I spoke face to face with the new property owner this afternoon and he indicated the he plans to have what will once again be called "Austin SpeedORama " open by the beginning of July. Work is in progress to clean all areas of the current track. Mr. Miller tells me his main project will be replacing all the current wooden bleachers, as the frame on the main grandstands is still in good shape. All current restrooms and concession booths will be re-painted and used as the track re-opens, he also plans to add concrete on all areas under the main grandstands. It looks like the headlining class will be something along the lines of the Street Stock/Sportsman class and he did tell me he has a tech inspector will keep everyone in line. ( tried like hell but couldn't get a name, not from the THR camp was all that would be clarified) The gentleman is looking for help in all areas of his work getting this track back into shape, he added that anyone is welcome to stop in if they see work going on at the track. It sounds like a great situation, hopefully this will all work out and we will have a new "old" racing venue here in central Texas. Rodney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp17 Posted May 5, 2003 Report Share Posted May 5, 2003 Wonder if that means we need to get a new gear set. JP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodneyRodriguez Posted May 5, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2003 With Mary Ann's past involvment at this place I would say the odds would be pretty good ....... RR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildRacer5 Posted May 5, 2003 Report Share Posted May 5, 2003 Praise the man above!!! Finally the world will be a better place Longhorn Speedway will live again!!! Of course we have all heard this one before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truck99 Posted May 5, 2003 Report Share Posted May 5, 2003 I'm having a hard time getting too excited about the thought of Longhorn re-opening. I know there's a lot of history at that track, but we all remember too well what happened last time they tried to reopen. If it happens again, it will just be another battle of the tracks between Longhorn and THR to see who can survive. This may be a great thing to those who want to see THR go under, but I'm not in that boat. I may not agree with everything the THR management does, but overall I think they do a good job. And to me, it boils down to supporting our local track. And right now, that local track is THR. On the positive side, maybe some close competition would force one or both tracks to promote for a change. Or is that wishful thinking? cs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcleaver17 Posted May 5, 2003 Report Share Posted May 5, 2003 I think you are right ......i know there was a constant battle between the two tracks...and this time there needs to be somthing done...am i right??...like maybe the way they had longhorn on friday...and THR on saturday...in my opinion..longhorn would best be re-opened as a dirt track.....the closest one around is kileen..right??...wait wouldnt that cause a problem for kileen is longhorn opened as a dirt track?????............well ill say this much......one thing that needs to go from longhorn are the gaurd rails.........in a race you have no were tro go.......either mess someone elses car up....or tear yours all to hell..... Jonathan Cleaver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boerneracehounds50 Posted May 5, 2003 Report Share Posted May 5, 2003 I also think the best idea is making it dirt,the Austin area itself has at least 20 mods around,they could run on fri, nite at 8 pm,it would most likely close I-37 and put a real hurt on the all ready hurting for cars Hot in Waco,but would be the place to be on Fri-nites.I bet they would have at least 25-30 mods every Fri-nite if dirt and IMCA sanctioned.Im sure Ill just keep wishing though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickHolt Posted May 5, 2003 Report Share Posted May 5, 2003 A usually reliable source tells me that the Austin track will run on Friday nights as a paved track, that they hope to open on Friday, the Fourth of July, and that the owner is already talking to concessions people. If anyone has more information than that, let's hear from ya! Nick Holt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcleaver17 Posted May 5, 2003 Report Share Posted May 5, 2003 Come to thnk of it........i think that longhorn opening back up...would probably be for the best.....and like CS said.......Maybe it would encourage some advertising...???/ im.....i remember going to long horn when i was about 11 (now 17) and it was great....but nick....you think you can find out whyether or not they are going to remove a portion of the gaurd rail???im sure alot more drivers would go out there if they didnt have to worry about messing up there cars everytime they spin out or are spun out.... Thnx Jonathan Cleaver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodneyRodriguez Posted May 5, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2003 No walls will come down or will they be moved out wider as they were when the track was constructed in 1960. The only changes will be in the spectator comfort area with the bleachers and walk-way areas. The pits will remain as they were in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truck99 Posted May 5, 2003 Report Share Posted May 5, 2003 Nick and others, I stopped by Longhorn this morning on my way to pick up a new wheel at Special. The owner was not there, but I ran into a gentleman (didn't get the name) who is meeting with him tomorrow morning about running the concessions. The man I spoke to had the opinion that opening by the 4th was very ambitious. The track was open, so I walked around to check it out. I would have to agree with this gentleman's opinion. The track surface needs work as does everything else from the pits to the stands to the buildings. Like Rodney said, it's definately been sold and work has definately begun, so I guess we'll see what develops. Hey JP, care to say how much more gear you run there compared to THR? cs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildRacer5 Posted May 5, 2003 Report Share Posted May 5, 2003 I'll call on of my reliable sources from the concession world and see if he has heard anything. I'm not sure that making it a dirt track would be that good. The count on the mods is correct. Why not make the mods the top class. All the track needs to do is fill out some paperwork to make it IMCA sanctioned. Why not have IMCA points on pavement. Beside if a racer is going to go from North Austin to Pleasanton to race wouldn't it be easier to change some shocks and go to the pavement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bar2248 Posted May 5, 2003 Report Share Posted May 5, 2003 Why not run ROMCO there, used to be TIDA a while back and they ran there, Suggestion to the new track owner, make it a little longer, take turns 3 and 4 wall out and extend the track a little bit with a little more banking in the turns, to give each turn its endividual characteristics. make for better racing, and a little longer track, even if the changes weren't made i would still like to run there again!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted May 5, 2003 Report Share Posted May 5, 2003 ROMCO can run there as long as they dont take any dates away from CC and if they have to take dates away take them from the track in the area.... (I know this won't be liked but ROMCO is a TEXAS SUPER LATEMODEL SERIES not just a SA-Austin area series.) I still think they should pave Saratoga and run ROMCO there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tqj3 Posted May 5, 2003 Report Share Posted May 5, 2003 I wnet out to Longhorn today as well, but there was no activity. The grass has been cut and the "For Sale" sign is down. All the gates were open, so I assume they are working around the track. From the looks of the building and such, I agree that opening by the Fourth of July will be a trick. As far as track improvements go, the first order should be to 1) improve the grandstand seating, and 2) do something to attract people to those grandstands. If you don't do that, nothing else you do will matter. Of course, the above is true of Thunder Hill as well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckLicata Posted May 5, 2003 Report Share Posted May 5, 2003 Everyone has "sources," right?? Well, after contacting a few of my own "sources," let's just say I wouldn't get too excited about Longhorn opening---just yet....Not saying that it won't open.... Let's just take a wait-and-see attitude about the project right now..More coming up on the show on Sat. morning... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meredith race engines Posted May 6, 2003 Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 i also heard a rummor that they where doing this because they where going to film a demo derby tv ad there i am going to look foward to running both if possable. i know thats where my dad (and lots of peoples dads that post on here) raced there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meredith race engines Posted May 6, 2003 Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 and one outher rummor i just heard is that the home depot had somthing to do with it (probly no truth in it) and who is mr miller or todd miller as sombody told me ownes it anybody know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodneyRodriguez Posted May 6, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 Miller and his family own two businesses in the Austin proper area. One being a mobile home transporting company and the other a salvage company,those are both currently in operation so apprently this dude has some knowledge of how to keep a business solvent. Home Depot had been contacted by these people regarding an arrangement on the lumber needed for the stands,I don't think this any type of corporate presentation. You guys are right,it would be cool to have this place up and running again,hopefully it all worx out ......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickHolt Posted May 6, 2003 Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 Chuck, Are you keeping inside info from your "sources" from all your friends here at TSZ just so you can have a "scoop" on your radio show? I promise we won't tell a soul if you tell us what you know now. LOL.. Nick Holt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcleaver17 Posted May 6, 2003 Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 LMAO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodneyRodriguez Posted May 6, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 I agree with Prof. Nick, c'mon Chuck,let us in on what you have. Many of us won't be able to listen to 1300 Saturday morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RandyBorlace Posted May 6, 2003 Report Share Posted May 6, 2003 i doubt IMCA would go for an asphalt sanction, but it would be cool............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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